San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-12-20

all the oilers ne received OF DOx-SeatS 1Of
the turnout of the Four-in-hand Club, or
he could have fooled his brothers coach;
but he declined all allurements; he had
business at the War Office, he said, and so
he had only he might easily have put it off.
Shameful cried chorus of fair ones,
each one of whom had made up her mind
that Colonel Beauregard was going to
drive his brothers famous bays, with her
on the seat beside him.
1t was splendid turnout, everyone said;
and so it was. The day was fine, the Park
crowded. and the coaches came forth in
force. Numbers came to see the beauty,
Valerie Herbert, and they were not disap-
pointed, for there she was in gray satin,
Charles H. hat with sweeping plumes, the
loyeliest woman where lovely faces might
be seen at every turn. Aston Lawford
drove four browns, and drove them well;
and behind him sat pretty women and
good-looking men; but nobody looked at
him. and he was well-cOntented that his
beautiful box-companion diverted all at
tention from even his tooling, Of which he
was somewhat proud, though coaching
men only allowed him second rank as a
whip.
But while Valerie laughed and talked
gaily, her quick. far-seeing eyes were
searchingh half nervously among the crowds
by the railing; and suddenly, while line
Of coaches stood waiting, she saw the face
she sought, but scarcely wished to see. A
light color fitted across her own, as for
moment she met Louis upward glance,
full of pain and anger; then her eyes sank,
and she bowed and turned away. When
she looked again Louis was gone.
There Is Mr.. Beauregard's coach Just
behind u.s." said one Of the ladies at the
back-pretty Mrs. Leicester; but thought
the Colonel would drive it."
HE isn't here to-day at all" said Law
ford. II saw him last night in Whitehall
Gardens, and he said he would be busy at
the War Office"
Was Valerie relieved, or the opposite'
She could not have told; but Mrs. Leicester
said:
Bother the War Of1cel why couldn't
the man do his work there another day."
Lawford smiled.
"a lady's way of looking at business, "he
said. But Mrs. Leicester was right this
time, though she didn't know it.
By-and-by, when the coaches were NOV.
ing on at walking pace, the iron man"
asked Valerie:
WAS not that Mr.. Charters you bowed
to little while ago."
He had heard of Louis from Mrs. Lang
ley, though not of any engagement between
the young man and Valerie.
Yes" she answered, nonchalantly.
My lady was somewhat offended by the
tone.
He scarcely looked pleased to see you"
continued Lawford; was 1t because you
were hereby me?'
Valerie opened her great eyes on him
with stare of comical surprise.
"Why should he, or anyone, mind thatS"
she said, with that determined ndtUete
which Is sometimes very aggravating in q
lovely woman, but very witching all the
same II might have been with anyone
else. The Duke of - offered me his box.
seat; and poor little Emily almost knelt to
me to go on his"
"And yet" said Lawford, lowering his
tone, you gave me the preferencep'
simply" with shrug, because II l
went with the Duke the Duchess would be
jealous; and heartily dislike Emily"
Lawford's brow darkened.
Am only pts aller, thenH he said.
You should take blessings as they come"
said Valerie, grayely, land not inquire too
closely why they come. Mono more,
please. One positively can not be serious
on the box-seat Of coach; though verify
believe you would be serious at a carnival"
And you serious at nothingr' returned
Lawford, almost brusquely. He loved Va
lerie in selfish, narrow fashion; or, more
correctly, he was dazzled and infatuated,
and wanted her beauty to crown the edifce
Of his wealth-and shed, by its fame, kind
Of halo over himself
His gentle blood and good-breeding saved
him from being a snob In the worst and
most vulgar sense; but there Is a kind Of